Short snaps of deep cold were not rare but all were deeply unwelcome. The cows, the hired men, the plumbing, the shivering calves, the machinery—everyone and everything—moved slower or not at all when temperatures fell to zero or below.

A beginning farmer is defined as someone who has not operated a farm for more than 10 years, substantially participates in a farm operation and meets the eligibility requirements of the loan program they are applying for.